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Jalan Besar Stadium is a well-known Singapore landmark located at Tyrwhitt Road in the Kallang area.1 Since its official opening on 26 December 1929, the stadium had held many football events, including Malaysia Cup tournaments. In 1999, the original facility underwent a S$30-million facelift. When it was completed in 2003, the stadium had been expanded into a sports complex comprising a new football stadium, and facilities such as a swimming complex, a gymnasium, a multi-storey carpark and a food court.2

HistoryJalan Besar Stadium was opened on 26 December 1929 by the president of the Municipal Commission, R. J. Farrer. The inauguration was followed by a football match between the Malayan Chinese and Malayan Asiatics teams. The former won the match with a score of 3-2.3

Since its opening, the Jalan Besar Stadium has hosted many sporting events such as football, hockey and rugby matches. The Malaysia Cup football tournament (known as Malaya Cup from 1932 to 1966) was also played at this venue, from 1932 until the former National Stadium was opened in 1973.4

During the Japanese Occupation (1942–45), Jalan Besar Stadium was used by the Japanese as one of the mass screening sites for Sook Ching, an operation carried out to purge anti-Japanese elements. The stadium remained open throughout the Occupation years and was used as a centre to teach civilians the Japanese language. After the war, the stadium reverted to its original function but was occasionally used as a site for political rallies and to host key events such as the inaugural Singapore Youth Festival in 1967, and the first Singapore Armed Forces Day parade on 11 July 1969.5

In the 1980s, the stadium was the venue for important matches in the domestic National Football League (NFL). The NFL was poorly attended and crowds at Jalan Besar only averaged about 200.6 However, well-known Singaporean footballers such as Majid Ariff, Quah Kim Song, Dollah Kassim, R. Suria Murthi, Wilfred Skinner and Fandi Ahmad have all played at the stadium.7 International matches were also hosted at Jalan Besar before the National Stadium was built.8 The United States football team played at Jalan Besar Stadium in 1956.9

Renovation and reopeningIn 1999, the original stadium underwent a major renovation. It was expanded into a sports complex at a cost of over S$30 million. The complex included a new football stadium and facilities such as a swimming complex, a gymnasium, a multi-storey carpark and a food court.10 The new football stadium had a seating capacity of 6,000 and a distinctive arched steel roof – resembling a suspension bridge – curving over the southwest grandstand.11 The new Jalan Besar Stadium was reopened to public in March 2003, when it hosted a football match between the under-23 Young Lions Singapore team and a team from the Maldives, in which the Young Lions won 4-1.12

Developments in Singapore football and further improvementsAfter the facelift in 2003, the Jalan Besar Stadium continued to serve as a major venue for football in Singapore. The stadium housed the National Football Academy as well as the headquarters of the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and the S-League.13 It was also the home and training ground of the Young Lions. Furthermore, the stadium was a competition venue for the 2006 Lion City Cup, the 2009 Asian Youth Games, and the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010.14

Shortly after the stadium was reopened in 2003, it was closed again in late 2004 to replace the grass pitch with an artificial turf.15 The replacement was funded by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) Goal Project, and was considered necessary as an artificial turf could withstand wear and tear better than a grass field. After it was reopened in February 2006, it was closed once again for another resurfacing project in December 2008. This time it was to upgrade the artificial turf to a higher-grade pitch. The stadium was reopened yet again in January 2009.16

Timeline26 Dec 1929: Jalan Besar Stadium opens.171942–45: The stadium is used as a Sook Ching mass screening site and language centre during the Japanese Occupation.181967: The stadium hosts the opening ceremony of the inaugural Singapore Youth Festival.191973: The National Stadium is built and replaces Jalan Besar Stadium as the venue for football events.201996: Launch of the S-League. Jalan Besar Stadium becomes the home ground for the Police Sports Association team.21Dec 1999: An exhibition match featuring ex-internationals commemorates the closing of the old stadium. The stadium is then refurbished and becomes part of the Jalan Besar sports complex.22Mar 2003: The stadium re-opens with a football match between the Young Lions and a team from Maldives. It also serves as the home ground of the Young Lions.232006: The stadium replaces its grass pitch with an artificial turf.242009: The artificial pitch is replaced by a higher-quality turf.252010: The stadium is one of the venues for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games held in Singapore in August.26

The information in this article is valid as at 2010 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.